Hernias can occur in the abdomen, groin or diaphragm. While most abdominal hernias aren’t considered emergencies, they can be painful and interfere with your quality of life. Based on the severity of the hernia, it may need to be surgically repaired. Most patients undergo elective surgery to prevent the possible complication of a strangulated hernia in the future.

Hernias do not go away on their own. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the signs and symptoms of a hernia:

• Swelling or bulge in the groin or scrotum (the pouch that contains the testicles).
• Increased pain at the site of the bulge
• Pain while lifting
• Increase in the bulge size over time
• A dull aching sensation
• A sense of feeling full or signs of bowel obstruction

Our surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures and surgeries on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Treatments include: 

• Open surgical repair which closes the hernia using sutures, mesh, or both, and the surgical wound in the skin is closed with sutures, staples, or surgical glue
• Laparoscopic repair is used for repeat operations to avoid previous scars, and while usually more expensive, is less likely to cause complications such as infection

Recovery time varies based on the type of hernia that is repaired. After undergoing surgery for inguinal hernias, you are restricted from heavy activity or lifting for two weeks.

Researchers estimate that about 27% of men will develop a hernia in their groin at some point in their lives. Hernia types include:

• Inguinal hernia - the most common type of hernia, and it occurs more often in men
• Femoral hernia - less common but can be more often seen in women
• Incisional hernia - hernias that result from a prior incision caused by a previous operation
• Ventral hernia - occurs on your anterior abdominal wall and can be present at birth or developed later
• Spigelian hernia - can be difficult to detect as it is a hernia that does not involve all layers of the abdominal wall so the bulge may not be as obvious

Call 509-942-3060 for more information or to request a referral.

We treat a variety of breast conditions including:

• Breast cancer (including high-risk breast cancer patients)
• Benign breast disease, such as: 

• Cysts
• Mastitis
• Benign breast lumps
• Breast pain
• Breast abscess

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (pre-cancerous condition)

We provide the following treatments and services:

• Breast surgery
• Breast biopsies
• Breast conservation therapy
• Mastectomy
• Nipple sparring mastectomy
• Risk assessments for breast cancer
• Cancer patient navigation
• High Risk Breast Program

• This program aims to evaluate and treat individuals identified as high risk for breast cancer. Referred patients undergo a personal and family history assessment. Recommendations for additional imaging, medications, and lifestyle changes are provided, along with assessing genetic mutation risk. Risk reduction plan and early detection strategies are outlined, with referrals to specialists as needed.

The High-Risk Breast Clinic offers expert, compassionate care for women who have an elevated risk for breast cancer. Patients meet with our nurse practitioner, who is trained in high-risk breast care, for a comprehensive evaluation. Our team develops a care plan based on a patient’s risk assessment and monitors their health.

Our program includes:

• Regular breast exams
• High-risk breast imaging, including mammography and MRI
• Genetic counseling and testing for gene mutations associated with breast cancer
• Preventive options and treatments to reduce your risk

Consider our program if you have:

• A personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• A BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• Multiple family members with cancer
• Atypical cells in a breast biopsy
• Previous radiation therapy to the chest
• Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry with a cancer history
• Dense breast tissue on a mammogram
• A previous breast cancer diagnosis
• Greater than 20% lifetime breast cancer risk

The High-Risk Breast Clinic can help you understand your risk for breast cancer and provide care and guidance to address that risk. For more information, call us or email [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Our colorectal surgeons treat conditions such as:

• Benign colon and rectal disease
• Cancer of the colon, rectum and anus
• Hemorrhoids and anal issues
• Rectal prolapse and rectum issues 
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcers and Crohn’s disease
• Constipation
• Incontinence
• Diverticular (intestinal) diseases

We offer the following treatments and services: 

• Anal and rectal ultrasound
• Cancer care management
• Cancer screening
• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy procedures
• EGD 
• Polyp removal